The California Performing Arts Festival winds down this weekend.

Thursday, October 24, 2002

The state of the Peninsula is much like the state of the country. A microcosm, if you will. Even as political pundits go on about how the nation is slipping into some sort of moral abyss, these same talking heads assert that America is the greatest land of all. Same thing locally. We''re far removed from the whiz-bang artistic glory of San Francisco, but ya practically can''t walk down the street this month without tripping over the culture.

The California Performing Arts Festival is still here to rock us-at least through Sunday. Here''s a map to help you through the last four days of shows. Don''t wear yourselves out.

For tickets and complete schedule, call 642-9049 or visit www.californiafest.org.

thursday 10|24

Pagalacci''s Fools Radio Project These are people who know how to have a good time. Founded on the ideal that there is nothing nobler than to entertain (pagliacci is Italian for clown), this community-service oriented performance group from Oakland puts on live radio plays. Some are humorous, some are darkly weird, all employ marvelously inventive sound effects and a cast with varying amounts of acting experience and lots of heart. This year, the Fools debut a mystery set on the Monterey Peninsula. 8:30pm at Santa Lucia Market, Monterey; 8pm Fri. at the Big Sur River Inn; 7:30pm Sat. at Ariel Theatrical, Salinas. $5-$15.
A View From The Moon Peter Davison, movement artist and physical interpreter of feeling, brings his one-man show of dance, movement and props back to Carmel. Trained as a juggler, dancer and actor, Davison draws from his background and the inspiration of stars ranging from Van Gogh to Kurt Cobain to create a dazzling performance that is quite difficult to describe. The subject matter is a bit mature, so kids under 12 might want to catch another show tonight. 8pm tonight and Fri., 2:30 Sat. and 6pm Sun. Carmel Ballet Academy, Mission and Eighth, Carmel. $10-$20.
Ethos Percussion Group Percussion instruments from around the globe are on stage at CSUMB tonight, brought to life by a performance group that the Washington Post called "spellbinding." (See Hot Pick page 24.) 7:30pm. World Theater, CSUMB, Seaside. $20.
friday 10|25

Bread, The Musical Santa Cruz baker and author Joe Ortiz, co-owner of Gayle''s Bakery, has penned this tale of a baker, his wife, the mayor, an epidemic of ergot poisoning, seduction, betrayal, and the search for a perfect loaf. (See story pg. 30.) 7:30pm tonight through Sat., 5pm Sun. Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, Fourth and Guadalupe, Carmel. $10-$20.
Poetry Slam Garland Thompson hosts two more unpredictable and thrilling evenings of slam poetry, deep thought and frenetic word-slinging. You never know what''s gonna happen, so you better show up. Not an evening for the kids, as there will most certainly be bad words, adult subjects and crude pantomiming. And that''s just my poetry. 7:30pm tonight at the Cherry Bean, Salinas; and 10:15pm Sat. at Nico Ristorante, San Carlos between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. $10 voyeurs, $2 participants.
Jessica Williams This dazzling songbird''s range is immense, rooted in the blues-based jazz of musicians like Thelonius Monk. (See Hot Picks pg. 24). 7:30pm. Jazz and Blues Company, Carmel. $35-$45, under-18 half price.
saturday 10|26
Coppelia Dance Kids of Monterey County presents this ballet about a mechanical doll that comes to life with the help of Swanhilda and four mischevious friends. All ages.

4pm. Outdoor Forest Theater, Mountain View and Santa Rita, Carmel. $10-$20.

Children''s Music Festival

Local kids'' favorite MaryLee Sunseri delights her youthful audience (and their adults) with this show, featuring special surprise guest performances, arts, crafts, interactive music performance and multiethnic foods. 11am. Pacific Oaks Children''s School, 1004 David Ave., Pacific Grove. $5, babies free.
Aditi Aditi and guest artists Kehau''s Hula Ohana do their multiethnic thing. Focusing on interweaving hand motions, this onstage collaboration mixes up hula, flamenco and gypsy dance styles into something new and exciting. This performance is called "Hands Across Time," and honors Laka, Shiva, Kali and Pele. Whew. Check it out.

8pm. Robert Down Theater, 485 Pine Ave.,Pacific Grove. $5-$15.

sunday 10|27

Literary Brunch #2 Vista Riders, a local group that got together for a class and never stopped hanging out, present their short stories about everyday life. 10am. Jack London''s Grill, Carmel. $10 includes buffet brunch.
John Sherry Group One of the area''s leading guitar players, John Sherry has performed with groups as diverse as Critical Mix and the ''60s psychedelic rock band, Spirit. He presents an afternoon of World Beat music outdoors at the Forest Theater, backed by Jeff Langan, Pete Rose, Bill Vallaire, Ramon Vallejo and Joe Wedlake. 2:30pm. Outdoor Forest Theater, Carmel. $5-$10.
Obo Addy African drum virtuoso Obo Addy and his group thrill audiences of all ages with their warm drum sounds and colorful dance. Get a taste of Ghana and groove along to the beats as Addy weaves the culture of his homeland into his own modern sense of music and original composition. 5:30pm; pre-show lecture 4:45pm. Steinbeck Forum, Monterey Conference Center, One Portola Plaza, Monterey. $10-$30.